Will you be happy at USMA?
If not, then I agree with skierxman. Try for USNA next year. Better to be patient and get what you really want than to be miserable for the next 4 years and the rest of your military career.

WOuld you be able to go to M.A. and then transfer over after a year to USNA? I think they may frown on it.. but it is a thought... since we are all on the same "team". Congratulations on your appointment to West Point.. maybe not what you wanted, but it could have good things you have not thought about.. because before you were so focused on Navy. Any of the academies are fantastic.. jsut depends on what your gut says.

Rejected by USNA, but Appointed by USMA. It really sucks to be rejected by the USNA, but it doesn't hurt to be appointed by West Point. USNA was the one I really wanted.

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weathermom said:

WOuld you be able to go to M.A. and then transfer over after a year to USNA? I think they may frown on it.. but it is a thought... since we are all on the same "team".

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Three choices, USMA, reapply to USNA, or 'transfer'. First off, weathermom, I don't know if a transfer has ever been done. Not saying it is impossible, but highly unlikely. I think one would burn a few bridges at USMA in the application process, and then there would be the matter of going back to the same MOC for another nomination and attempt to convince them that last year they wanted USMA enough to apply but not enough to go there but do really want USNA. And there is no 'transfert', they would have to start over.

Next alternative, reapply next year. Go to a good four year school. Take NROTC if available. Important, but not a deal breaker. Then take courses that mirror plebe year at the Academy. Ensure you have a 600/600 on the SATs. Anything less on either, keep trying. Anything greater, don't worry about them. Certainly doable.

Last choice is the one that will cause you to lose sleep. Two fantastic schools, two great careers. Obviously you somewhat considered USMA or you would not have wasted everyone's time, including your own, applying. So, is it that you really want to go to USNA or are you just upset over the rejection? Upset over rejection, perfectly normal. I will almost guarantee you that if you applied for some of the right reasons and go ahead and accept USMA, you will never look back. By I-Day you will have convinced yourself that you have made the right decision. After that, you will be a part of a support group of over 4000 cadets and 500 or so faculty, not to mention parents and friends. The glass is half full, not half empty. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. etc etc

You must have thought that USMA would be an OK alternative or you would not have applied there. The big question is can you see yourself in grey instead of blue? Only you can answer this question. Be true to your gut and it will all work out.

USMA is a great school. However, it's not for everyone -- any more than USNA is for everyone. If you decide to accept your appointment, BE SURE it's what you really want. Think about why USNA has been your first choice to date and whether that factor(s) is critically important and whether it is available in some way at USMA.

You absolutely do not want to start out at USMA without being 100% committed. If you can be -- b/c you realize it's a great school that provides great opportunities upon graduation -- great. If not, consider other options, such as reapplying to USNA, NROTC, etc. It is very unlikely (not impossible, but very unlikely) that you will suddenly learn to love USMA if you don't love it now.

WOuld you be able to go to M.A. and then transfer over after a year to USNA?

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as far as I know everyone begins as a plebe - regardless of the academy.

there is a plebe at West Point who did complete his 4 deg year at AFA. He left, joined the Army, applied to West Point. I think he must like plebe years -

Back to the dilemma -

There are plenty of kids who didn't get their first choice, who opt for the second choice and are very happy.
I know of a couple of West Point cadets who had medical waiver issues with Navy (the standards are different between Army and Navy) and were not able to gain appointments - in both cases the Naval Academy admissions office encouraged them to apply to West Point, they did and are happy cadets.
Attitude is everything.
If you are ready and willing to play the hand that you have been dealt then switch gears. Start now and learn all about West Point, visit if you can, spend hours perusing the website, learn about the academics, majors and summer opportunities. Learn about the Army, the branches and career opportunities. Once you get to R-Day you will be immersed in the Army, fine Army officers and cadets and the only thought you will have about the Naval Academy is how to beat them.

Some say the overarching goal is service to one's country. If you are able to serve in the way your country is asking then you are truly serving. Serving isn't always about picking and choosing what you want - it is about making a sacrifice.

After all the soul searching you just can't shake that you want to be in the Navy then go to a college with NROTC and either commission through NROTC or apply to USNA again. There is no right or wrong answer here.